Spotlight Member of the Month: Jackie Jones

Jackie Jones is a jewelry designer who wholesales her work, handbags and accessories to retail stores. She also represents the Jackie Jones Collection at retail events, popup boutiques, charity functions and a showroom in Terra Linda. Jackie moved her business from the Peninsula to San Rafael in December 2015.

Are you involved with a Chamber committee?
I just joined the Chamber at the end of November. I go to as many events as I can, but I travel a lot and can’t commit to regular meetings.

Where did you grow up?
In England. In 1989 I was working there for a high-tech company that asked me to go to the Silicon Valley for a year to work on an acquisition. Everyone in California was complaining of drought and since I came from England I loved it! I stayed and worked for another tech firm for years, then had a little mid-life crisis. I didn’t want any more of corporate life.

It was after I turned 40, but it was precipitated by September 11, when someone I worked with was killed on one of the planes. I quit my job after I heard about Suzanne. Life’s too short, and I always knew I wanted to do something creative.

What do you think about Marin?
I love Marin and I’m very happy to be here. I’ve been so impressed with the San Rafael Chamber. I was in San Mateo Chamber for years and I thought that was good. The San Rafael Chamber is extremely well organized and active.

What do you feel most grateful for?
For all the opportunities I’ve had, including the chance to move to California. I am an irrepressible optimist, a gift that was bestowed on me. I read somewhere that it’s a trait of Sagittariuses. They say we get in the most accidents because we think everything’s going to be all right, and I am very accident prone.

How would you describe your sense of humor?
Coming from England, I have quite a dry sense of humor. When I first came here, a lot of Americans didn’t get it. I’ve adapted, although I still love to watch British comedies when I go back to England. And I love James Corden—everyone knows him here now. I’m also a fan of Trevor Noah and Stephen Colbert.

What’s your favorite kind of music?
I love the old Motown. I grew up with that and I love it. When I’m working I have music on, usually an oldies radio station.

What do you do for inspiration?
When it comes to designing jewelry is I get very inspired by the beads. I go to bead shows. I go bead shopping with the vendors who make my pieces in Thailand. Looking at the colors and cuts of the stones gets my juices flowing.

What is your favorite food?
I’m a chocolate girl—Belgian chocolates. I am not a Thai food fan, the only person I know who is not. It’s so hot and spicy in Thailand that it blows your head off. I ask for no spice and they don’t know how.

What is your earliest memory?
I just heard something on the radio today about the first lunar landing in 1969. I can remember them taking us out of the classroom, assembling several hundred kids around the school’s one tiny television to watch man land on the moon.

If you could wake up with one new quality or ability, what would it be?
I wish I was a little tidier. I’m looking at my office and, oh my goodness. I am organized but you wouldn’t think it to see this.

In my next life, I would love to be able to sing. My mother used to drag us to church and I had to mime the words. If I attempted to sing out loud people would look. When I’m on long road trips by myself I will sing in the car.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I used to be a marathon runner, which now I find it hard to believe. I would love to do it again but I don’t know if my body can take it. It wasn’t for the speed, just for the joy of running and the agony and ecstasy of crossing the finish line.

Is there a cause you’re involved with?
Until it closed, I was on the board of the Career Closet, a San Jose-based group that helped prepare women for interviews when they were reentering the job market or coming out of shelters or prison. I’m looking to get involved with Planned Parenthood or other women’s causes.